CPI(M) is the fourth party after the NCP, SP and BSP to decide not to ally with the Congress.
New Delhi: The CPI(M) central committee’s resolution against any electoral alliance with the Congress is seen as a major setback for opposition unity ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Earlier this month, on 11 January, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechuri had said that his party won’t ally with any communal or corruption-tainted parties in the run-up to the 2019 polls, hinting at Lalu Yadav’s RJD.
The CPI(M) is the fourth party after the NCP, SP and BSP to have decided not to ally with the Congress in the 2019 elections.
After the Uttar Pradesh elections in March last year, attempts were made by the Congress and other parties to form a front to challenge the Narendra Modi government.
A failed attempt
In fact, the Congress under Sonia Gandhi called four meetings of the opposition parties in 2017, the last one on 11 August, where it was decided to draw a blueprint on the opposition strategy before the winter session of Parliament. But Sharad Pawar’s NCP had boycotted the meeting and no such strategy was formulated and these parties did not meet subsequently.
Even Lalu Yadav had organised an opposition rally in Patna on 27 August, which was attended by several parties. But BSP supremo Mayawati gave it a miss voicing her concerns over seat-sharing in UP.
After the Gujarat elections, Rahul Gandhi took over as Congress president and there has since been no effort from the Congress to reach out to other political parties on the issue of an opposition alliance.
On 6 January, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tried to drum up support from opposition parties on the issue of reintroducing ballot papers instead of using EVMs during elections. However, both the Congress and the BSP stayed away from the meeting.
A miffed Akhilesh announced on 9 January that he is not thinking of an alliance with any party for 2019 and is working on candidate selection for all 80 seats in UP.
But some sources in both the Congress and the SP said that an alliance between the two parties is usually clinched at the level of Rahul and Akhilesh and it could not be conclusively ruled out.
“If we say that we would ally with Congress, no party worker will work thinking his seat might go to Congress,” said a senior SP leader. “So as a party, we have to prepare for all the seats.”
Mevani’s entry irks BSP
During an event marking her birthday on 15 January, BSP chief Mayawati launched an attack on the Congress. She called Congress and BJP “chor chor mausere bhai”.
Mayawati is unhappy over the Congress supporting Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and his travels across the country during which he is criticising the BSP on several issues.
“Congress is trying to gain by sending Mevani to different places. The Dalit community must be aware of it,” she said.
“Too much arm twisting is happening from BSP’s side just to say that they were ready for an alliance but others did not care much,” said a senior UP Congress leader. “Everyone knows under what pressure she is doing all this.”
Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is also a strong opposition force against the BJP, but the Congress is still struggling to convince its state unit in West Bengal to consider an alliance.
Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, the state Congress president, is seen as a major obstacle in any talks between the Congress and the TMC.
Down south, the DMK has a soft corner for the Congress. But a section in the party is worried about the BJP’s attempt to reach them. PM Modi himself called on DMK patriarch Karunanidhi in November, triggering speculation about a possible alliance.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has already clarified his party’s stand of going solo in the state elections, due to be held next year.
In the current scenario, there are only two parties — RJD and National Conference — who are ready to forge an alliance with the Congress.
“I am optimistic. I am very sure that as the elections come closer, like-minded parties will come together in national interest,” senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel told ThePrint last week. “There is no other way for anyone. I shall also try my best for the unity.”
CPM by alliances with dynastic and opportunist parties lost its image among the dedicated cadres.The main culprits for the downfall are Surjit and Yachri.Comrade Karat is taking a very principled stand by going alone whole hog.I am sure Karat will succeed wonderfully in his bold move.